SPRINGFIELD - Former Central High School boys basketball standout Preye Preboye said playing at the prep level "is a whole different world."

That world is going just fine for the Winchendon School senior, who was named game MVP Sunday after his team beat the Patterson School 81-70 at the Spalding Hoophall Classic at Springfield College.

Preboye, before a near-capacity and partial crowd at the birthplace of basketball, finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 16 minutes for the Green Wave against the school from Lenoir, N.C.

"In high school, they had three guys on him all the time," said Preboye's former coach, Central's Mike Labrie. "Today, as you can see, he has the ability to get open. He's got great sense on the boards and makes things happen on both ends of the floor.

"You can get a sense for his basketball feel. Offensively and defensively, Winchendon is a better team with him on the floor. He makes things happen."

Preboye enrolled at Winchendon in hopes of bettering his chances of playing Division I college basketball. With more than a dozen college coaches in attendance, the 6-foot-5 swingman didn't hurt his chances.

"I'm hoping to get to the best school I can where I can succeed," the 18-year-old said. "After that, if basketball takes me far, so be it."

Preboye said he may opt to stay at Winchendon another year. That decision would be fine with coach Mike Byrnes.

"He plays with so much heart and so much passion," Byrnes said. "He just has to buy into the role we need him to do and look forward to going to college off in the distance.

"The thing with Preye is he's such an unselfish player. Wherever he fits in, that's what he'll do. He's such a special kid."

Preboye is averaging about 10 points, eight rebounds and 22 minutes for the Green Wave, which has three players already committed to playing at Division I programs next season. His season-high is 23 points, which came against South Kent of Connecticut.

"I've put in a lot more time," Preboye said. "I'm getting better and working on my skills. We have so many coaches, and every day we practice three times a day. We're in the middle of nowhere, so we have no choice but to get better."

"I think he's grown physically. He's toned down and got rid of the baby fat," Labrie said. "He hit the weights. You can see that. He's in great physical shape. Mentally is where I'most impressed, on the court and off the court. He's matured a great deal."

As he did in high school, Preboye showed a high-level of intensity Sunday, whether he was on the court or cheering on the bench.

"My mom works too hard. I have to do it for my mom," said Preboye, referring to his mother, Tessa Olasewere. "She works overnight, 7-11, every day. She's hard working, so I feel I have to work just as hard."